Matthew Grant Webster

Case record: Matthew Grant Webster

Background

Matthew Grant Webster was described as the man who raped and murdered Newcastle schoolgirl Leigh Leigh.

Webster was from Seven Hills.

The offence

Leigh Leigh was a 14-year-old schoolgirl. She was sexually assaulted and murdered at a party at the North Stockton Surf Club in 1989.

Leigh Leigh had been bludgeoned to death with a lump of concrete.

Sentencing

Webster was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 1990 for the sexual assault and murder of Leigh Leigh.

He served 14 years of the 20-year sentence.

Release on parole and subsequent events

Webster was paroled in June 2004 after serving 14 years of a 20-year sentence.

After being released on parole, Webster was charged in October on assault allegations, and his parole was revoked in November 2004.

He was returned to prison while the assault prosecution progressed.

Arrest / charges relating to an alleged assault

Webster was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The alleged assault involved a Woodberry man, Craig Drew.

The alleged incident was said to have occurred in October, and Webster was described as being charged following an alleged attack on Craig Drew last October.

Police alleged Webster was involved in a fight with Craig Drew, the former partner of Webster’s lover Belinda Lowe.

Craig Drew suffered a broken jaw and cracked ribs as a result of the alleged altercation.

Craig Drew told police Webster punched him twice in the head and kicked him in the stomach in the kitchen of the house he continued to share with Lowe.

Craig Drew also alleged Webster pulled a knife during the fight.

Webster pleaded not guilty to the assault-related charges.

Bail and parliamentary discussion

Webster was granted bail on the assault charges five months after being released from jail. The NSW Parliament was told this occurred after bail was granted following his earlier release on parole.

On November 17, 2004, it was stated that explicit photos sent to a 17-year-old girl’s mobile phone led to the alleged attack on the Woodberry man. On November 18, 2004, it was stated that Webster had been granted bail on assault charges five months after being released from jail, and that the NSW Parliament was told yesterday.

It was stated that Webster appeared in court on common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Andrew Humpherson said there should have been an immediate presumption against bail in Webster’s case, and said:

"What the opposition wants to know is why - when the government promised a presumption against bail for violent repeat offenders - Webster is back on the streets this afternoon?"

Andrew Humpherson also said:

"It is a dangerous game the Carr Government is playing with public safety when it allows bail for the likes of Matthew Webster,"

Premier Bob Carr said Webster had been granted strict, conditional bail, and said:

"I'm advised that the accused, who handed himself into police, was granted strict, conditional bail,"

Premier Bob Carr said there had been a “markedly higher” number of cases where bail has been refused since new bail legislation was introduced, and said the new laws had removed the presumption in favour of bail being granted. He said:

"Factors that may have been persuasive in this case would include the strength of the case against the accused,"

Premier Bob Carr also said:

"As this matter is still before the courts, it would not be appropriate to go into further detail."

Justice Minister John Hatzistergos supported Webster’s release in June, saying the prisoner had fulfilled all requirements to make him eligible for parole and would live in a halfway house. John Hatzistergos said in June:

"I wish him well, but his activities will be closely monitored and he will be brought to account if the need arises,"

Alleged assault incident and defence position

The court heard that sexually explicit pictures were sent to a 17-year-old girl’s mobile phone, which led to an alleged attack on the Woodberry man.

Webster was described as having faced Maitland Local Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault after voluntarily handing himself in to Maitland Police.

Webster pleaded not guilty to the charges relating to an incident in Woodberry on October 11.

Solicitor Steve Churches, for Webster, said the allegations would be “strenuously denied” and claimed Webster acted in self defence. Steve Churches said Webster had been “set up” by the alleged victim and said the client received a message on his mobile phone that read:

"gotcha big boy"

Steve Churches said the message had been sent two weeks after the incident by the alleged victim and said:

"This (message) is a very strong attack on the credibility of the alleged victim in this matter,"

The court heard Webster went to the Woodberry home after being told by a childhood friend who was also the ex-wife of the alleged victim that her former husband had sent photos “of a disgusting nature” to the mobile phone of a 17-year-old girl.

The court heard it was alleged these photos were of the victim’s penis.

Steve Churches said:

"She (the ex-wife) told him to come to the house to get (the 17-year-old) out of there,"

Steve Churches said:

"The only reason he was in Woodberry that day was in an attempt to protect the 17-year- old girl."

Steve Churches said:

"The girl had already left the home when Mr Webster arrived and claimed his client was attacked by the victim and acted in self defence as a result."

Police prosecutor Chris Shields opposed the defence request for bail, saying the prosecution had a strong case based on statements provided by the alleged victim and a second person and strong medical evidence consistent with the statements. Chris Shields said:

"The charge is a serious charge and these injuries are serious injuries,"

Magistrate Stephen Jackson adjourned the matter to December 13.

Webster was granted bail on conditions that he reside at his Seven Hills address, report daily to Blacktown Police Station, stay away from Woodberry and refrain from contacting the alleged victim.

A $5000 cash bond was posted by Webster’s mother, and an agreement to forfeit an additional $5000 for any breach of the bail conditions was also required.

Dismissal of assault charges in Maitland Local Court

In April 2005, assault charges against the killer of Newcastle schoolgirl Leigh Leigh were dismissed.

A magistrate said the evidence against Webster was “lacking”.

On April 1, 2005, it was stated that Matthew Webster, 33, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm after the alleged attack on Craig Drew last October.

At the time, Webster was on parole, having served 14 years of a 20-year jail sentence for Leigh’s murder.

The matter was before Maitland Local Court and Webster could be released from custody after the three charges were dismissed.

Police had alleged Webster was involved in a fight with Craig Drew, the former partner of Webster’s lover Belinda Lowe, and Craig Drew suffered a broken jaw and cracked ribs.

Webster’s solicitor, Paul Rosser, QC, said Craig Drew’s evidence was unreliable.

Paul Rosser, QC said Webster punched Craig Drew “five to six times” to the head and body, but denied kicking him and rejected the allegation of the knife. Paul Rosser, QC said:

"Drew himself says he instigated the fight,"

Paul Rosser, QC also said:

Magistrate Stephen Jackson dismissed the matters, and said:

"The evidence is lacking,"
"I dismiss all the matters."

Police Prosecutor Daniel Maher urged the court to consider circumstances leading up to the physical altercation. Daniel Maher said Webster became aware there was “something going on” between Craig Drew and a 17-year-old girl known to Webster, and came to Woodberry to “sort it out”.

Daniel Maher said:

"The key in this case is the defendant goes up there to sort out Craig Drew for sending inappropriate messages to (the girl),"

Daniel Maher said:

"I say the presence of Webster in the circumstances of what is effectively a love triangle is going to cause friction, it's going to cause conflict."

Paul Rosser, QC said he would now instigate proceedings with the NSW Parole Board to release Webster from custody.

Parole conditions and release from custody in May 2005

On May 20, 2005, it was stated that Webster walked free from Sydney’s Silverwater Jail.

Webster was freed after his second stint in prison.

It was stated that Webster was initially paroled in June the previous year after serving 14 years of a 20-year sentence for Leigh’s murder after a party at Newcastle’s North Stockton Surf Club in 1989.

It was stated that while on parole in October, Webster was charged over an assault and his parole was revoked.

The charges were dismissed in April 2005 due to a lack of evidence.

It was stated that Webster would remain on parole until March 29, 2010.

It was also stated that the new release conditions included that he did not live in the Stockton or Newcastle area and he was not to visit either area without the permission of his parole officer.

A Corrective Services spokesman said Webster would live in private accommodation in Sydney’s west in the short term.

Webster made no comment as he was driven past an assembled media throng following his release just after 10am (AEST).

Other details

It was stated that Webster was 18 years old when he was jailed for the sexual assault and murder of the 14-year-old Leigh after a birthday party at the North Stockton Surf Club near Newcastle on November 1989.

It was stated that Webster was released on parole in June after 14 years in jail, and that the release came six years shy of his full 20-year sentence and was granted on the grounds he was unlikely to re-offend.

It was stated that Webster’s release came while he was the partner of a woman Webster befriended while in Parklea prison.